Perceptions of Privacy and the Consequences of Apathy: Biometrics in the 21st Century

Privacy, long considered one of our most valuable rights, is at risk. Younger generations are increasingly becoming de-sensitized to the disclosure of their personal and confidential information. With little or no contemplation, this information is bartered in exchange for the conveniences and luxuries that today’s technologies offer. Moreover, recent developments in the field of biometrics have created unprecedented opportunities for organizations to observe, gather, and share our personal information. This paper explores the evolution of biometrics, the benefits and challenges of this technology, and the potential threat it poses to future generations.